Efficient and environmentally friendly are the reasons why
electric cars become new focus of the automotive manufacturers. Nevertheless,
the charging process of the car's battery still has to be done manually. But
what if the electric car could create its own energy source?
In 2013, a team of students from the Eindhoven University of
Technology in Netherlands built a prototype of solar-powered electric car. The
car was named Stella, and it managed to receive an award from the World Solar
Challenge competition in the same year.
This year, the same team comes back with a new prototype
called Stella Lux. The Stella Lux is a four-passenger car in which the entire
roof has been planted with solar panels.
By utilizing solar panels, Stella Lux can produce
electricity power independently. In fact, according to the developer team,
Stella Lux can produce more energy than is required to support the engine.
This achievement can be obtained due to the aerodynamic
design brought by Stella Lux, as we can see from some sort of indentation in
the middle of its lower body. Furthermore, the car is also made as light as
possible using special materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum.
Statistically, when the battery is fully charged, Stella Lux
can travel up to 1,000 kilometers. This figure is much higher than the electric
cars that have been available on market today.
In addition to efficiency and independent energy production,
Stella Lux also brings a number of smart features. This car is equipped with an
energy management system called Solar Navigator. This system will collect
weather data and provide recommendation where the sun shines the most brightly.
The synchronization with smartphone is also pinned, for
example, the car door will open automatically when the owner's smartphone is
detected around the car.
Furthermore, Stella Lux is also claimed to be able to
communicate with other cars. For example, the music volume that's being played
on the dashboard will be automatically reduced when there is an ambulance runs near
the car.
Stella Lux is still in the preparation phase to participate in
the same annual competition which was won by its predecessor earlier. The smart
features mentioned above may be still in a draft, but the efficiency and its
ability to produce a surplus energy has been tested and proven.